Digital Accessibility Deadline Extended
The U.S. Department of Justice has extended the Title II digital accessibility compliance timeline from April 24, 2026, to April 26, 2027. The regulations have not changed, and neither has UMKC's commitment to ensuring digital accessibility — we are simply being provided more time to follow recommended processes and implement robust accessibility functionality in place of stopgap measures. Work to improve digital accessibility should continue as planned so we can fully build digital accessibility into our content before the new deadline. We know many people across campus have worked hard and we appreciate everything that has been done so far. We will continue to monitor for any updates in the ruling and communicate changes as necessary. What This Extension Means for Us - UM System
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Accessibility Training and Resources
New federal web accessibility standards will take effect April 26, 2027, requiring public-facing digital content — including documents — to be accessible to people who use screen readers and other assistive technologies. These standards help ensure equal access to information and services and support compliance with federal law.
This page provides resources to help you understand the requirements and get support as you review and update your content.
Training, Webinars and Workshops
Use these resources to build basic accessibility knowledge and learn practical skills.
University-Hosted Trainings and Workshops
Live and recorded sessions focused on document accessibility, PDFs and web content. Registration links will be added as training dates approach.
Recorded Training Sessions
UM System Accessiblity
- Drop in during UM System Web Accessiblity open office hours to speak with UM System's accessiblity specialist, Shervin Mansouri.
- Visit the UM System's IT Accessibility Center for help with:
- Accessibility consultations
- Assistive technology support
- Accessibility reviews
On-Demand Accessibility Training Videos
Watch the following training videos provided by GSA Section 508, or visit their training videos library for a full list of their offerings.
- How to Make an Accessible Document in Microsoft Word
- How to Test and Remediate PDFs for Accessibility Using Adobe Acrobat DC
- How to Author and Test Microsoft Powperpoint Presentations for Accessibility
- How to Make and Accessible Spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel
Tools and Free Accessibility Checkers
These third-party tools can help identify common accessibility issues. Automated tools are a starting point and should be combined with manual review.
- Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint Accessibility Checkers
To use the built-in tool for these programs, go to the Review tab > Check Accessibility > and then review and address the findings under "Inspection Results". - Adobe Acrobat Pro Accessibility Checker (inlcuded with Adobe Acrobat Pro subscription)
Checks tagged PDFs and common compliance issues - WAVE Web Accessibility Tool (WebAIM)
Browser-based checker for web pages - PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker)
Free tool for testing PDF/UA compliance
Best Practices and Guidance
Learn more about accessibility standards and recommended approaches:
- Document Accessibility Best Practices
Guidance on creating and remediating accessible PDFs - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
International standard for accessible web content - Section 508 Guidance
Federal requirements for accessible electronic content
Questions or Need Help?
If you’re unsure how to handle a document or need assistance:
- Join the the UMKC Web Editors Teams Group for the latest updates, resources and workshops. It’s open to anyone currently responsible for maintaining a UMKC website.
- Ask your question during UM Web Accessibility open office hours hosted by Web Accessibility Director Shervin Mansouri.
- Use the Document Decision Tree and Making Documents Accessible pages as a starting point to learn more about what to do with your documents and how to make them accessible if necessary.
- Hire a document remediation service approved by System.
Support is available, and you are not expected to navigate this process alone. Making content accessible helps ensure everyone can access university information and services. Thank you for your partnership in this effort.